by Richard Eskow | Dec 21, 2012 | Blog, Chained CPI
The so-called 'fiscal cliff' was never real. Congress and the President invented it during last year's negotiations, apparently to persuade voters that unpopular budget measures were needed to avoid a crisis. With the collapse of John Boehner's 'Plan B,' that gambit...
by Richard Eskow | Dec 20, 2012 | Blog, Chained CPI
Fix the Debt, a front group for corporations, billionaires, and defense contractors, wants people to call their Representatives and demand that they avoid the "fiscal cliff." The group's latest email is so badly written that it cries out for laughter, but its...
by Richard Eskow | Dec 19, 2012 | Blog, The Sequester
The President's latest budget offer slashes a 95 year old retiree's Social Security benefits by more than nine percent -- and trims the defense budget by less than one percent. Nancy Pelosi insists that these benefit reductions aren't "cuts," which is consistent with...
by Richard Eskow | Dec 18, 2012 | Blog, Chained CPI, The Sequester
News reports say the President's proposed deal includes the "chained CPI," which would impose drastic Social Security cuts and tax hikes for everybody but the wealthy. And House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says that "Democrats will stick with the President." They...
by Richard Eskow | Dec 18, 2012 | Blog, Chained CPI
Our leaders in Washington heard from the voters last month. They may need to hear from them again. According to news reports a budget deal is coalescing around some very unattractive and unwise ideas. The deal's centerpiece is reportedly the "chained CPI," a back-door...